Special Alert! Alien Invasion

Failure & Evil Twin, Fear of Failure Wreaking Havoc in Cincinnati

Two formidable forces that mean us no good have been seen lurking in the shadows around Cincinnati and sometimes right out in the open. They go by the names Failure and Fear of Failure. They appear without warning and it is not wise to doubt their existence. They can bring a sudden end to even the most monumental effort and sometimes leave people wary of ever going back outside.

These invaders are present, even after the long-awaited groundbreaking and subsequent beginning of construction for The Banks project. I have seen and felt their presence as I have worked with our team over the past two years to make streetcars a reality in Cincinnati. Streetcars are not everybody’s “cup of tea” and I certainly respect that. But it has been interesting to listen to the stated reasons why some are not for it- the failure to successfully construct a subway system (over six decades ago), the miscalculation regarding the stadium, the broken promises at the Freedom Center and the fact that it took 10 years to get The Banks going. The “something could go wrong” (Fear of Failure) sentiment is used as sort of platform for “let’s not risk it” because in the past big things, debatably, haven’t worked here.

So allow me to make our argument. It is without question that the economy is struggling. Companies are making cutbacks in their businesses and families are making hard decisions about their household situations. That is precisely why we need to take a proactive stance to generate jobs, stimulate investment, elevate property values, and provide a transportation linkage for our two primary employment centers, Downtown and Uptown. The permanence of the rail is what catches the eye of the entrepreneur and the urban dweller looking for a place to call home. City after city have pointed to the quantitative impact that streetcars have had on their communities. When we go out and talk about this project and show these cities’ slides of barren areas before the streetcars and densely developed areas afterwards- it makes an impact.

It has a positive impact for three blocks in any direction from the line. That means people who are not right on the line will benefit. It also means the expanded tax base that we get will enable the City to use that revenue to provide services all over the city not just in the seven neighborhoods impacted by the initial leg of the streetcar line.

The Obama Administration has indicated that it intends to invest in rail, green development and infrastructure. The streetcar is consistent with all of those points of emphasis. We can debate whether the federal government should have those as priorities but the bottom line is that they do. It would appear that they are poised to make investment decisions this year. These funds come with a specific purpose and can’t be used for police officers, fire trucks, or affordable housing. When the federal envelope is opened, and if it says CINCINNATI, we do not believe we should say we will pass because in the past Fear and the Fear of Failure have lived here.

We could have thrown up our hands when Fort Washington Way was built but we got it done. We are talking about building a new bridge that carries a price tag of $3 billion, providing plenty of opportunity for “the twins” to come into play there, but we must forge ahead anyway. I have been told that when the idea first came up that we needed a new Convention Center our two visitors were on the loose for a time even then. Now, we’re all glad that it was built and it certainly has provided an economic boost and an aesthetic advantage.

There is something to be said about being cautious. There is always a possibility that large development projects will face challenges. In fact we should expect that. However, cities that are poised for growth are able to look risk in the eye without blinking. Being reckless is never advised, but seizing an opportunity when it’s there is what separates the good from the great. It appears that all this is headed to a ballot box for city residents. I hope people realize that the ballot language impacts the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati passenger rail project, and future light rail in addition to the streetcar. You might ask, why is that significant? When the federal officials make their decisions for who gets money for these projects there is an assumption that the locality is ready to do it. If Cincinnati says we’ll get back to you in a year after there’s a separate vote, we will likely drive the funder to say we will move on to the next city that is ready now.

Admittedly, anytime we try to do something that carries an element of risk there is always a chance for an F & FF reunion. Fountain Square, the Aronoff Center, and several job generator projects have happened here within the past few years. They are great examples of “we could get it done” and “we did.”

Troubled times? To be sure.
We need an action to strengthen ourselves with jobs, investment, greater density, and more development. The streetcar will give us that.

Milton Dohoney is Cincinnati’s City Manager